Houston looking hard at three
Matthews (N.C.) Butler running back Ryan Houston figures to be one of the most highly-recruited prospects in the Tar Heel State for the class of 2007.
The 6-foot-2, 250-pound wrecking ball has scholarship offers from a number of SEC and ACC programs, but currently is giving a hard look to three.
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"I don't really have a top five right now," Houston said. "I have three schools who are really after me and those are North Carolina, Clemson and Florida."
Proximity to his suburban Charlotte home has been a big factor in pushing these three teams to the forefront.
"All of these schools are far away from home, but not too far," Houston said. "All three schools are excellent and football is huge at all three places."
He talked about each of the schools in more depth.
"Florida is a big program in the SEC," he said. "North Carolina is very competitive in the ACC and Clemson is an ACC power."
Several factors will determine Houston's final destination.
"Education is going to be big and the place needs to feel like home," he said. "I have to like the place because I will be there for around four years."
Dave Brock is leading the charge for the in-state Tar Heels. Billy Napier is the recruiter-of-record for Clemson while three-time Rivals.com top 25 recruiter selection John Holliday is leading the way for the Gators.
Michigan, N.C. State, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and Virginia Tech all have offered Houston, who rushed for 1,914 yards and 24 touchdowns in 2005.
Houston plans to attend the Clemson NIKE Camp on May 21. He also has begun to take a look at his summer camp plans.
"I was going to go to Michigan's camp, but I don't know if I will, though," he said. "I'm going to the NIKE Camp at Clemson and I want to do a lot of North Carolina camps as well."
Houston plans to make a final decision in January at the earliest.